Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams has long since been held in high esteem in Wales, and it appears that he will be the victim of a change of direction at Selhurst Park.

The Welsh international is rumoured to be a Swansea City target as a somewhat belated replacement for Joe Allen. The 20-year-old is similar in stature and style to Allen, but many observers see a Midas touch in his game. The undoubted ball retention qualities of Swansea are crying out for an injection of inventiveness and Williams has that quality in abundance.

The previous Palace boss, Ian Holloway, was gushing in Williams’ praise, saying that the Eagles had "a little David Silva". He was Palace's Young Player of the Year in the season they won promotion to the Premier League and was dubbed "Joniesta" by the fans due to his playing style.

The five-time capped schemer is also integral in Chris Coleman's future plans in the Wales set-up. Some of his international performances, notably against Croatia last year, have been outstanding.

However, Williams was sent out on loan to Ipswich Town by current Palace boss Tony Pulis, and does not fit the physical characteristics so favoured by the Premier League Manager of the Season.

It now appears that if Palace do not want Williams, then Swansea will take him. The youngster’s agent, Jamie Moralee, is quoted as saying by the South Wales Evening Post: ‘If Jonny is not on Swansea's radar I would be surprised, because at the moment there aren't many people who don't think he's got a massive chance’.

Williams is contracted to Palace until 2017, but Pulis could be willing to let him move on permanently. Palace co-chairman, Steve Parrish, is likely to give the manager a free hand in transfer dealings and a sizeable bid for Williams would not be rejected.

‘In the next couple of weeks I'll have a conversation with Steve Parrish and then we'll see where we go from there’, added Moralee.

"The most important thing for Jonny is that he is playing first-team football.’